There's Snow Place Like Home...

The month of September has come and gone. The days seem to be flying by as I enter into the month of October. September offered many exciting new experiences and I’m even more enthusiastic for the prospect of October. October brings with it caribou and beaver season. I have a lot to reflect on for the past few weeks and most of it relates back to the incredible power that nature holds here. It’s a new taste of humility when you realize how intimidating and beautiful nature can be.

If you had asked me if I respected nature before coming to Alaska I would have said “sure thing”. But living in the Alaskan bush you not only feel small but also powerless. For example, living in the city it feels as if one has “conquered” nature (air conditioning, heat, super markets, etc.) But for life above the arctic circle, nature holds the power over my plans, electricity, and as it happened to be, my running water. Thankfully the water has returned back to normal and there is no need for the village to continue to boil their water. I went to a nature survival lesson taught by one of the faculty members here at the school. He provided us with a lot of useful information for travel outside/overnights away from the village. The possibility of bear attacks, moose attacks, starving, getting lost, and freezing to death were all discussed. Though at first, I chuckled, it dawned on me that these events actually happen to people and could happen to me. The bear attack scene of Leonardo Dicaprio in the movie, the Revenant replayed in my mind. It turns out that my previous solutions in a “life-or-death” situation were useless. GPS and phone batteries don’t work in negative 30-degree weather. Using the sun as a compass is pointless when you’re in 23 hours of darkness. Lighters for a fire will freeze, wind will blow out matches, and finding firewood in a snowstorm may prove impossible. Using snow for water is ineffective and it turns out there are a lot more poisonous plants in Alaska than I first thought. Needless to say, if I’m venturing out, it sure as heck won’t be by myself. (However, I still kind of want to make a 40-mile snow machine journey to a different village during Winter time with another teacher…am I crazy?)

Though nature is intimidating it is also beautiful. I had the opportunity to see the northern lights for the first time in my life last week. Leaving the school one night, I looked up and there it was. I literally ran for my camera, not wanting to miss a second. I snagged a few pictures but then just lay down on ground gazing and gaping up at the mesmerizing emerald tapestry dancing around the night sky. I thought to myself how fireworks (and laughably the Georgia Stone Mountain light show) compare so poorly to this natural beauty. God’s handiwork always trumps anything man creates.

The month of September was a busy time. My village of Shungnak was chosen to host the 2017 cross country finals for the entire district. We had about 14 airplanes dropping off runners, parents, and fans all throughout the day. In village life for an event this big there is no flying under the radar for volunteering, everyone has to work together. I was able to help map the 3-mile course around the village including: making up a lap around the entire village, circling the store, dipping down the hill to the river, and trekking up to the airport before finishing back at the school. One of my senior high students captured a 3rd place victory and the chance to fly to Anchorage to compete in the state race. During the race day, I spent 5 hours hanging out by the airport directing the runners to turn around and head back toward the school. Believe it or not, I actually got sunburned in the 40-degree weather, but it was a nice opportunity to sit back and listen to the quiet sound of wind and nothing. (I’ve never experienced a “quiet” like it before).

SNOW! It came and was gone the next day, turning into a muddy slush. As soon as I saw the snow I flipped out and got super excited. My students snickered in disbelief when I told them this was all the snow Georgia would get in an entire year and school would probably be canceled for a week. We got around 2 inches of thick, heavy snow before it turned into rain. During that time, students threw snowballs and played just like any other kids in the lower 48. However, it turns out that my snowball skills need some work. These kids are pros, let me tell you. They know how to make a heavy-duty painful snowball. These aren’t your typical lower-48 snowball fights, these are snow “wars”.

I’ve had the awesome opportunity to implement virtual reality into my classroom using a Samsung Gear VR. The response has been overwhelmingly positive. My students ask me almost every day if they can use it. Most of my students have never left the village and if they have it’s been to Anchorage or another village. Many have never seen a building taller than 3 stories. Virtual reality allows them to experience things they would never have the ability to see. I downloaded a virtual dinosaur museum which allows the student to look at life-size dinosaur bones. Another VR app is a 360-degree video that allows students to witness a modern-day farm and see where our eggs come from. I’m using the Virtual Reality as a positive incentive and reward for good behavior but also am trying to tie it into my lessons whenever applicable.

October is here and I plan on keeping busy with work and students. I signed on for both the battle of the books after school reading team and to work in the homework club. My reading team is currently reading through the Wizard of Oz. We read a chapter and then watch the movie version to compare. Wrestling and volleyball have both started up. Paperwork is killing me, but gets easier the more I do it. For all of those wondering, I am not starving. We have a village store that has a nice, though scarce, selection. I found cocoa crispy cereal at the local store and along with my boxed milk almost cried eating it. (It’s the simple things, honestly). I’m looking forward to the next month!